Prepare for apocalypse

Everyone should do these things anyway, but if you haven't, there's still time to catch up before the world ends on Friday.

I'm a little disappointed that Harold Camping didn't choose a Monday for the world to end in conflagration, but I suppose we can't be picky.

In case you don't remember, Harold Camping is the radio preacher who predicted the Rapture was supposed to have occurred May 21. His followers around the world prepared themselves for what they hoped would be their ascent to heaven, and instead were brought back down to earth when nothing happened.

Undeterred, Camping is sticking to his prediction and says the world will be destroyed on Friday.

Still, I wouldn't put off those weekend plans.

Meanwhile, speaking of adopting puppies, both Columbia County Animal Services and Happy Tails Rescue are holding special adoption events with Halloween themes.

Animal Services, which filled its new shelter as soon as it opened, is adopting dogs and puppies for $15, and cats and kittens for $10. That's a $10 discount.

Workers also will dress up in costumes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Halloween, provide tours and give out candy to kids. Who knows: Maybe a few of them can take home a new pet along with their treats. For information, call the shelter at (706) 541-4077, or go to the county's Web site at www.columbiacountyga.gov.

As for Happy Tails, the agency's foster program is bursting at the seams and they're offering a special deal through Halloween on black dogs, which generally seem harder to adopt.

The rescue is adopting those dogs for $100, a $20 discount. Their price includes spaying and all the animal's vaccinations. Call (706) 955-0438, or go to www.csrahappytails.com.

Their volunteers also bring adoptable animals to Tractor Supply on Bobby Jones Expressway and to PetCo in Mullins Crossing on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Whatever lunacy Harold Camping might preach, I'd like to think there's a special place reserved in heaven for people who devote so much time and energy to animals - and a reserved spot in hell for those who mistreat them.

Larry Morris Sr.

Columbia County has paved a lot of roads over the years. The toughest part of that job isn't the asphalt, however; it's getting property owners along the route to give up, or sell, the pieces of land for the projects.

Larry Morris Sr., of Appling, performed the task of acquiring inumerable pieces of property for roads during his nearly 50 years with Georgia DOT and as a contractor for Columbia and Richmond counties. I can only marvel at the negotiating skills and patience that must have taken.

Mr. Morris passed away last week and was buried Monday in Appling.

His son and I were in school together since we were boys, though I haven't seen him in years. I hope he, and his family, are comforted in their loss by fond memories of a fine man.